Topeka ? A Kansas City, Mo., group that promotes biosciences research – and, some critics say, human cloning – has become a significant financial player in Kansas politics in recent months.

The Life Sciences Fund of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee contributed $95,000 to Kansas candidates and political groups from May 12 through July 24, according to a report that the fund filed with the secretary of state’s office. It filed a statement of organization, announcing its intent to become involved in Kansas politics, on April 21.

It raised nearly $727,000 from Jan. 1 through July 24, most of it from the chamber itself, and still had almost $449,000 left at the end of the period. The majority of the fund’s spending was in Missouri.

“They certainly have more money at their disposal,” said Carol Williams, executive director of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission. “They would be a significant player if they utilized that money in Kansas.”

The chamber has long been interested in Kansas politics because about 40 percent of its members are from Johnson County, said Pam Whiting, a vice president.

And one of the chamber’s stated goals is to promote biosciences research in the area – a goal Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and many legislators share. In 2004, Kansas set up a Bioscience Authority to help nurture the industry.

“We’ve certainly been pleased by the bioscience efforts in Kansas,” Whiting said. “Kansas is doing some really marvelous things in bioscience, despite the controversy.”

Attempts to promote biosciences in the Kansas City area have made embryonic stem cell research an issue and led to attempts by critics to restrict research or funding for it.

“That’s an issue we’re always watching,” Whiting said.

The Kansas House approved anti-cloning measures in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006 that would have limited funding for or restricted research with embryonic stem cells, but none survived the Senate because some lawmakers worried the bills could hurt research.

In 2006, Missouri voters narrowly adopted an amendment to their state’s constitution to protect some research after advocates spent more than $30 million on their campaign.